Failed International Adoption

A failed international adoption is rare, but it does occur.
And while a disrupted adoption is one of the last things you want to think about as you plan for your adoption, knowing the warning signs will help prevent such a traumatic event from happening to you.

Radical Change of Lifestyle for Your Child

Let's say you lived in an isolated portion of the country, and your older adopted child was used to living the fast-paced city life.
Your child may have difficulty adjusting to a different setting, and if not addressed, this could lead to a failed international adoption.

Unforeseen Tragedies

When one parent dies, or when there is divorce, this puts extreme pressure on a family.
An adopted child or adoptive parent may be tempted to call it quits.

Either the Parents or the Child Weren't Ready for Adoption

This is the main cause for a failed international adoption, and it is not always tied to the child's behavior.
The social worker who conducted our home study told me of a couple who adopted a lovely three-year-old child.
Soon after bringing the boy home, the adoptive parents realized they weren't up to the task of raising a toddler.
They contacted the social worker who found another home where the child is now doing well.

Such cases are rare, but they do happen.

Both the parents and the child must be ready for an adoption and willing to make it work. Parents who are adopting an older child with serious behavior issues, must have the skills to deal with that child and be willing to stick it out.

What Type of Adoptions are Likely to Disrupt?

Failed international adoptions are more likely to involve older children than younger ones.
Another issue that can trigger an adoption disruption is how many homes a child has lived in before he was adopted by you.
If a child has been moved from one home to the next, and then to another home, he may actually prefer being moved out of your home rather than deal with difficult issues.

Factors that can Trigger a Failed International Adoption

These include stressful times in both the lives of the adopted child and the family, such as moving to another location or school, adolescence and during the adjustment period.

Warning Signs of an Impending Disruption

According to Melina, the early signs include stress and tension that not only do not ease as time goes on but actually start increasing.

In the next, more dangerous step, the parents will start complaining about the child and become unfairly critical.
All children make mistakes, but if you find fault in everything your adopted child does, then you could be heading for a failed international adoption.

If you don't recognize and address these early warning signs, it will be harder to resolve these issues as time goes by.
You may actually experience a calm before the storm.
The conflict isn't resolved, but everybody ignores it and acts as if everything is okay.

Left unresolved, these issues eventually resurface with even greater force and cause a disrupted adoption.
Sadly, just like in a lot of failed marriages, most parents don't contact the adoption agency until it is too late, and they simply want to end the adoption.

Thinking About Calling it Quits

Please think twice, and seek counseling.
While a disruption may seem like the best solution, it rarely is.
Instead it causes trauma, pain, guilt and unresolved conflict that could last a lifetime and even destroy your marriage.

Instead, fight for your relationship both with prayer and counseling.
Start talking, not about each other but to each other.
Open communication and getting help early are the keys to avoiding a disrupted adoption.

Peace at Home

There are excellent programs out there to help you with this goal.
The important thing is to take a positive step toward positive reinforcement parenting.
Your home will become more harmonious, and you'll all be happier and live in a more peaceful environment.

More Information on Raising Adopted Children

Do you long to adopt more children, but feel like you can't afford it?
Finances are the number one reason many children do not adopt a second or third child. But it can be done.
We adopted all three of our children without going into debt. So can you.
Learn how.

Although it is rare, there are failed international adoptions. Learn the warning signs before it is too late by reading this article.

When celebrities like Madonna are raising adopted children, it has an impact on international adoption for both good and ill. Learn how.

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Good parenting skills are something most adoptive parents are thinking about while on their international adoption journey.
We truly appreciate these precious children and want to raise them the best way we know how. Read more.

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Sign language is a great tool for anyone raising adopted children, especially internationally adopted children by providing parents with an easier way of communication during those early days and easing frustration for their child.
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Most adoption stories are told from the parent's perspective.
It was truly refreshing, therefore, when I stumbled across the story of one adoptee who reunited with her family in Taiwan.
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Having a learning disabled child is likely, especially if you adopt more than one child internationally or even domestically.
But these children can be just as intelligent as any other child, and raising adopted children with learning disabilities can be delightful, although they will have their own unique challenges.

Children that are adopted; what's the rest of their story?
What happens to them when they are grown, and how do they feel about being adopted?
International Adoption Facts and Information is starting a new series where we hear the stories of adults who were adopted internationally as children.
This is the first in that series.

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It's not biology that makes a relationship, but rather time, devotion and love.
Here is one adopted person's story.

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, take heart; it's not nearly as difficult to raise a child with ADHD as you may think.
But please do think twice before putting him on a prescription medication.
Learn more.

Want to build your newly adopted child's immune system, protecting him from a host of nasty bacterial, viral and fungal infections?
Feed him this healthy oil.

For the best bonding experience in the world plus the best nutrition for your newly adopted baby, consider breastfeeding him.
Yes, it can be done. Read more.

Have you ever wondered what the phrase, positive parenting means? It's learning to focus on the positives rather than the negatives.
Learn more.

Looking for ways to raise your children without nagging or yelling?
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What happens if the child you adopt is displaying autistic tendencies? Take heart; he or she will very likely improve with time.
Learn more.

Nobody wants to adopt a child with serious emotional problems, but being prepared for the unexpected is the best way to successful parenting and preventing a disrupted adoption.
Learn more.

Understanding the reasons why siblings fight is a good way to prevent rivalries and promote family harmony.
Learn more.

Adoption books are a great way to explain adoption to young children and open the door for discussion about sensitive adoption issues such as birth parents, and why your child was placed for adoption.
Here are some great books your child will love.
Read more.

Learning to cook ethnic recipes from your child's country of birth will be a comfort to your older child and a great learning experience for children adopted at a younger age.
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If you're waiting for your adopted child to be grown before telling him he's adopted, you may be doing more harm than good.
Here's why.

If your child is of another race, make sure you teach your child to be proud of his race and to appreciate his and other cultures.
Learn more.

When a child is adopted internationally, he must not only deal with the shock of new parents, but also often a new language, customs and even different food.
Follow these tips to make the transition easier.

It's always best to be open with your child about his adoption, but how do you approach the subject with him?
Here are some tips.

Your grown child is looking for his birthparent. So should you feel threatened?
Absolutely not.
Here's why.

Are you worried that your newly adopted child is so different you won't be able to attach to her?
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That's when it's time to realize you're a normal parent with normal feelings.
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A birth mother who searches for, and even comes back to take back a child she has given up for adoption.
Is this possible?
This issue was addressed recently in the hit show Glee, when teen mom Quinn, who had given up her baby for adoption in a previous season, announced she wanted to get her daughter back.
Read more.

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